Pneumatic tire.



PATENTED DEC. e, 1904.

C. E. DURYBA.

PNBUMATIC TIRE.

APPLIGATION PILED JAN. s. 1904.

NO MODEL.

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NITED STATES Patented December 6, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PNEUIVIATICI TIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. ?76,650, dated December6, 1904.

Application filed January 16, 1904:. Serial No. 189.297. (No model.)

To ((U/ whom, 't 7771003 concerns Be it known that I, CHARLES E. DURYEA,a citizen of the United States, residing at Reading, in the county ofBerks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Pneumatic Tires; and I do hereby declare th-e followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tires for vehicles,particularly 'l'or vehicles of the heavier class, such as carriages andautomobiles, although it is applicable to lighter Vehicles, such asbicycles.

The objects of this invention are to provide a tire and rim cheap toconstruct, easy to attach and detach, permanent in attachment whenapplied, and free 'from some objections found in other tire's, such asliability to creep when partially or completely deflated. It is alsofree from air-tube troubles, most easy to repair, and has many otherininor advantages, which will be described more fully her-einai'- ter. laccomplish these results by the means shown intheaccompanyingcl1'awings,forn1ing part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a cross-section of the tire, showing the iron rim, which notonly serves to retain the rubber tire in position, but also binds thewooden felly, as is common in ordinary carriagewheels. lt also shows theclamps and clamp-screws for binding the rubber tire in place and showsthe valve and stem for infiating. Fig. 2 is a short elevation showingrelation of these parts from one side. Figs. 3 and 4 are details of thenut into which the clamp-screws are threaded, while Fig. 5 is a sectionota known construction shown 'for the purpose of comparison. Fig. 6 is arepair-plug. Figs. 7 and l are details of tire edge.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

More specifically, my invention is of the class known as tubelesstircs-that is to say, the wearing and strength-providing portion of thetire, commonly known as the shoe or cover, serves to contain the airwithout the use of an inner air-containing tube, and this outer shoe isnot an endless tube, but, like the outcr shoe of tires of the detachablevariety, is open along its base, as are the outer shoes of douhle-tubetires of the elencher and clanp Varieties; and my invention consists inusing such a cover and rim with suitable 'fastening devices as to insureretaining the air, while yet avoiding the objectionable features presentin tires as heretofore used. For heavy work it is necessary that thetire should be firmly and permanently fastened in position to preventaccidental displacement of the tire with possibly disastrous results. Tosecure this, I provide the tire-shoe with enlarged edges adapted topositively fix the size of the section of the tire at all points andalso adapted to be elamped tightly in position for the purpose ot'securing an air-tight joint between the edge of the tire and someportion of the iron or wood, or both, forming the wheel-rim, givingpreference, of course, to a tight joint with the iron, since this ismore certain to be impervious toair. If the edgcs are not o t' suchshape as to give definite size to the tire, the tendency of the tire isto grow bigger at the largest points, Where the strain is greatest, andyield or grow smaller at other points, producing a tire irregular insize and supporting ability. On this account the usual wcdge-shapededges are generally not suited to my purpose, by which is meant an edgesimilar to that shown in Fig. 5, in which the pull of the tire tends todraw the wedge out of the clamping-space.

In Fig. 1 I show a wooden felly beveled on the outer corners and boundby a [lat iron rim, hearing on a small [lat portion ol. the wooden fellyat the center and providing on each side acute angles into which theedgcs of the tire may be 'forced by metal clampingplates a a. ThisConstruction permits the thickened edge ot' the tire to be clampedimmovably in position, absolutely securing an air-tight joint bothbetween the iron rim b and wood felly c. The shape of the edge of thetire-shoe is such that no perceptible variation in position can occur,and the pull of inflation and the strain of use tend to draw thethickened edge more lirmly into contact with the iron rim 7). Thiscontact-surface is large, insuring amplc packing and prevent- IOC ingpossibility of leakage, due to the presence of a small obstacle like agrain of sand that may accidentally get between the surfaces. TheConstruction is such that if in any event the air should escape past thejoint between the edge of the shoe and the iron tire I) it would stillbe oblged to pass another long joint clamped almost equally tightbetween the edge of the shoe and the felly c, although this lattersurface is open to objection as an air-retaining surface, because thepull of the tire tends to lessen the contact at this point. I use,preferably, a means of clamping permitting one side to be heldindependently of the other and show in Fig. 1 a nut driven throughWooden felly from one side, provision being made to prevent turning inthe wood, such as the use of hexagonal stock, and to prevent pullingthrough the wood by enlarging one end of the nut. (See Figs. 1, 3, and4.) By this arrangement one side of the tire can be clamped tightly inposition and allowed to remain so, as shown in Fig. l. The other can beloosened and removed for purposes of repair.

It is self-evident that the flat iron rim b provides an excellenthearing-surface for the wheel in case the tire is removed, also an eX-cellent hearing-surface for the tire if run defiated without removal, itbeing much preferable to run the tire on a broad flat surface than onthe edge of any rim, even though rounding in shape. Further, the clamp aand the iron rim b bear such a relation to each other that when deflatedthe tire is not broken over the edge of the clamp (a nor cut by it, asfrequently happens with other rinis, but is permitted to bend outward inan easy and undetrimental position, while the fiattening of the tread ofthe tire makes the rubber more dense and tends to prevent damage whenrun defiated.

Although it is well known that rubber is probably the best substance fora gasket at ordinary tempertures and little dificulty need beexperienced in clamping the edge of the outer shoe tightly enoughagainst the iron tire b to hold the air, it is often prefcrable toinject within the tire a liquid or semiliquid to coat and recoat theentire inner or air-retaining surface, thus absolutely insuring a tightjoint where desired and also healing automatically small punctures dueto the more common agent, such as tacks, pins, and thorns. Having noinner tube, this liquid is not objectionable, and since the tire is openon its base the liquid may be removed readily to permit repairing,either by cement or by vulcanization, just as any double-tube tire-shoeof present Construction is repaired. The inner liquid serves a furtherpurpose of decided importance in connection with this type of tire.There is no inner tube to creep, cut off the valve-stern, or grinditself to pieces. There is less likelihood of damage with this form oftire, and a tack or pin projecting through the outer shoe, if depressedfar enough, strikes only the iron rin 7), doing no damage, while if theouter portion of the shoe is depressed into contact with the iron rim band by continued contact is forced to slip (owing to the difierence incircumferential lengths) the liquid lubricates the surfaces, making theslipping easy and without the grinding or destroying action found innon-lubricated tires under such circumstances. While I prefer a liquidor semiliquid because of the self-healing effect, the lubrication soadvisable and necessary with a tire adapted to be run de- ,fiated can beSecured by the use of suitable powders, such as graphite or talc or micaor other substances.

The advantage of being able to run deflated withoutdetriment is readilyapparent in emergencies like stormy weather, when shelter must bereached before repair can be made, or in the service of men likedoctors,who must reach their destination before giving attention totheir vehicle.

The binding-plates a may be continuous, forming a complete circle; butIprefer to make them in short length, with ends abutting, as shown inFig. 2, so that by loosening two or three screwsa plate may be removed,the edge of the tire withdrawn from its clamped position,and sufficientaccess gained to the interior to permit the passage of a wire having aplug with large head attached thereto, by which means it is possible todraw such a plug through the hole, leaving the head on the inside, andthus effectually stopping the leak. This plug may be coated with cementbefore being drawn in position. The inner surface of the shoe may becleaned with a wire wrapped with fabric and saturated with cleaningliquid inserted through the hole from the outside, while the preferredshape of the plug, having a large head and a stern larger at the outerend than near its head, as shown in Fig. 6, insures that it will remainin position, thus permitting quick repairing. It may be used immediatelyafter repair, because the pressure of the air holds the plug in positioninstead of tending to force it out. lVith a semiliquid solution insidethe tire the plug may be inserted dry, depending upon the solution andthe shape of the plug to absolutely prevent leakage. Of course more thanone plate may be removed if a grea ter exposure is necessary; butpractically any repair may be made without removing more than two orthree plates, th us exposing possibly one-fourth the circumferentiallength of the tire.

The iron rim b is shrunk in position, just as any carriage-tire, and maybe held by countersunk headed bolts or by rivets, while the valve (Z isscrewed through the Wooden felly into the iron rim b, just as anypipe-fitting. This valve may be of any well-'known construction adaptedto be fitted as described. I

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give preference, however, to a valve se constructed that theair-retaming check or its equivalent may be removed, leaving a freepassage of large size, through which water or any suitable liquid,semiliquid, or powder may be introduced into the tire after clamping iscompleted, although, as a matter of fact, by moving one or more sectionsthe tire can be opened at any point, if desired, and substancesintrodueed.

,lt will readily be seen that the interier of this tire may be 'providedwith an endless filler-as, for example,very soft cotton rope which,while of light weight and not great sustaining power` would sufiice toincrease the buffer effect sufficiently to prevent cutting the rubberbetween a stone and the iron rim in case the thickness of the shoe inthat particular instance is too little to properly acco'nplish thisresult. Having no internal projections, this liller could creep aroundinside the tire without knotting or without detriment, and the 'lillermay be made of any material preferred or of any degree of supportingability.

Other shapes of rims than the one shown may be used so long as therequirement that the air-retaining joints at the edges of the tire aremaintained by mechanical means and not by the infiation and aretightened and made more perfect by the strain of the inflation and userather than the reverse. I prefer to retain with any shape tire a rim,using the flat hearing-surface, which permits not only running without atire, but gives an easy sliding surface adapted to remain readilylubricated when the tire is run deflated and does not have sharp ed ges,as before described. The proven value of Wood wheels, wooden felly, andflat iron rims, together with their low cost, are also features to bemaintained in a tire of this Construction. The freedom from cutting onthe edges, the lixture of one edge regardless of the other, and theabsolute removal of the valve from relation to the rubber portion of thetire I prefer to preserve in any shape adopted. v

,In Fig. 5 is shown a known method of clamping the edge of a tire, whichwhile it draws tighter under inflation if run defiated breaks the shoevery shortly over the clamping edge, causing damage and destroying theshoe very quickly. Other objectionable clamping devices heretofore usedcould be shown which are not applicable to a tire of my design,although, doubtless, well adapted to use with an inner tube, whichitself prevents running defiated.

While the ordinary tire-casing if given an inner coating of rubbersufiices ordinarily to hold the air properly, it is preferable that therubber should be thicker or slightly corrugated along the edge of thetire, as shown in Fig. l These corrugations being of soft rubber flattendown under pressure and insure that any roughnesses or depressions inthe metal are closed and make a more effective joint than if 'Hat rubberalone is used. lVhile the bulfer or fillor may be in the shape of a ropeor light cotton, it may also be a cloth tube stui'fed with curled hairor other elastc buffingmaterial, and this tube is shown at c in Fig. 1.

I am aware that self-healing substances have been used in tii-es,particularly in single-tube tires, also that clamped tires have beenmade both with and without inner tubes, one form being shown in Fig. 5,also that bulfers or fillers have been introduced to prevent damage incase of defiation; but these devices have all had objections which areovercome by my invention as described.

To secure the greatest service from rubber, it is advisable to work itunder compression rather than tension, and tire-shoes are frequentlymade so that the outer wearing portion when inflated is eaused by thisinflation to assume a shape tending to throw the tread portion undercompression. If the ordinary tire-shoe is turned inside out and a rubbersheet cemented to the inner surface while in the outside position. thisrubher will be compressed and practically close all punctures` when thetire is turned back to the normal position, an advantage readilyapplicable to my form of tire, but not applicable to tires using doubletubes. From this it will be readily evident that small punctures in theinner lining, whether made integral with the IOO IIO

engagng acommon device in said felly for binding the edges of the shoeagainst the said iron rim and drawing said edges downward against saidinclined surfaces to form an airtight joint.

2. In a pneumatic tire, a retaining C-shaped shoe having an air-tightinner retaining-wall and thickened wedge-shaped edges thinnest at theextreme edge, in combination with a wooden felly having inclinedsurfaees upon which the said inclined edges hear, a metallie rim, aelamp and oppositely-disposed means engaging a common device in said'felly and connected with said clamp as and for the purpose set forth.

In a pneumatic tire, an air-retaining shoe endless but open on its basewith thickened edges, tapcring toward their extreme edges, incombination with a metallic rim, having a cylindrical outer surface flatin cross-section,

an air-valve attached to said rim and suitable clamp for binding theedges of said tire to the inner ci'cumference of said iron rim with thevalve-stem between and clear of the tire edges.

4:. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an air-retaining shoe havingthickened edges, means for clamping said edges to suitable tire andfelly, consisting of clamps on opposite sides and screws passingthroughsaid clamps into a common nut fixed in said felly.

5. In combination, an endless tire-shoe open at its base and havingthickened edges, an inner air retaining lining, a metallic rim, a woodenfelly having inclined, surfaces upon which the edges of the shoe bear,and means other than the infiation of the tire for maintaining air-tightjoints between the metal rim and the edges of the tire-shoe, said meansbeing oppositely disposed and engaging a common device in the felly.

.6. In apneumatic tire, an air-retaining shoe, having an air-tight innerwall and thickened edges, in combination with a wooden felly havinginclined surfaces upon which the inner inclined sui-faces of saidthickened edges bear, a metallic rim shrunk thereon, clamping means andmeans eXtending from opposite sides and connected with the clampingmeans and engaging a common device within the felly for forming anair-tight joint between the felly and the edges of the shoe independentof the joint formed by the clamp and the felly.

7. In a pneumatic tire, the combination of an air-retaining shoe, afelly having oppositely-inclined* faces, an interposed member againstwhich the shoe bears, and means entered from opposite sides and engagingcommon means within the felly for clamping the shoe between the fellyand said member and drawing the edges of the shoe down upon the inclinedfaces of the felly and forming double air-tight joints.

8. ln a pneumatic tire, an air-retaining shoe, a felly havingoppositely-inclined faces, a fiat member contacting with the felly andextending over the said inclined faces, and means bearing upon the edgesof the shoe near the base of the said inclined faces of the felly forclamping the shoe against said inclined faces and between the same andtheflat member and means passed through the clamping means from oppositesides and engaging a common device within the felly.

9. In a pneumatic tire, a felly having oppositely-inclined faces, a flatmember resting upon the felly and extending over said inclined faces,means for clamping the shoe against said inclined faces and bearing uponthe edges of the shoe near the base of the said inclined faces of thefelly and means parallel with said fiat member for drawing said clampingmeans and extending into the felly from opposite sides and engaging acommon device therein to cause the pull of inflation and the strain ofuse to more firmly draw the shoe in contact with said fiat member.

10. In a pneumatic tire, an air-retaining shoe, a felly having inclinedfaces, a fiat member bearing upon the felly, a nut held in the felly,clamps and means held in the said nut and engaging the clamps andindependently ad j ustable.

11. In a pneumatic tire, a retaining-shoe having thickened edgesinclined upon their inner faces, a felly having oppositely-inclinedouter faces and 'flat upper face, a flat member supported on said fiatface, and extended over the inclined faces' of the felly, the inclinedfaces of the edges of the shoe hearing upon the inclined faces of thefelly, clamping means adjustably supported on the felly and engagingsaid thickened edges at points beneath the fiat member and substantiallyopposite the mici-length of the inclned faces of the felly, and meansfor adjustng the clamping means and engaging common means mounted in thefelly.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. DURYEA. l/Vitnesses:

NAoMI T. EvANs, CHAs. L. FLICKINGER.

